Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 48

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 48
The blue hair symbolic of the Histech Royal Family, a short bob cut that fell to her ears, and refreshingly androgynous features—the figure standing on the left was unmistakably the Fifth Princess, who commanded followers like clouds in her wake.
And the man escorting her, that seemingly carefree gentleman, appeared to be Thierry Orgo, the third son of the Orgo House.
“Hmm, hmm.”
As I quietly observed them, the Fifth Princess approached me with a flutter of her fan.
She gazed at me intently with amber eyes, her face half-concealed behind the fan. Her eyes gleamed with predatory sharpness, like a cat spotting fish.
Meanwhile, Thierry was grinning at Knight Isidore with a smile that split his face.
“Knight Isidore, you’re shining even more brilliantly today. I dare say you could even vie for this year’s flower. I’ll push you strongly for the title.”
Now I understood why Isidore had described him as bothersome. He was quite the dawdler.
“Hmph!”
The Fifth Princess kept glaring at Isidore and clearing her throat pointedly. Isidore finally relented with a reluctant expression and introduced us.
“Pleased to meet you, Deborah Simour.”
The Fifth Princess spoke in a bright voice.
“The honor is mine, Your Highness.”
Since she had promoted my cosmetics and helped me secure numerous early customers, I held her in genuine favor.
‘I’ve come to deeply understand that connections translate to profit.’
“Truth be told, I’ve wanted to meet and converse with you like this for some time.”
The Fifth Princess opened and closed her fan lightly.
“How could I have overlooked such a capable talent as yourself? Your attire today is absolutely delightful. The strong confidence of a woman who commands men shines through brilliantly.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
“At these balls, which repeat themselves monotonously each time, it’s rare to receive such a fresh and delightful shock. Yet you’ve impressed me once again, Deborah Simour. I find myself growing increasingly eager to know you better.”
“You’re too kind.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen Your Highness offer such generous praise.”
Thierry interjected from beside us.
“So here’s the thing—ahem!”
The Fifth Princess paused for a moment, then extended her hand toward me.
“Join Epsilon, my lady.”
Become my colleague.
I was startled by the declaration underlying her words.
“Your Highness, I apologize, but Knight Isidore and I haven’t yet discussed that matter….”
The Fifth Princess ignored Isidore’s objection entirely and began persuading me.
“It has to be Epsilon. And as you can see, our leader is the most handsome among us.”
“Knight Isidore is our greatest pride and the face of Epsilon.”
Both the Fifth Princess and Thierry spoke such nonsense, yet I found myself inwardly agreeing with them.
‘He deserves the pride. With such a dazzling figurehead, who wouldn’t be captivated?’
“If you join Epsilon, you’ll never regret it. I guarantee it as a princess.”
At the royal’s public scouting offer, the nobles standing nearby cast glances in our direction.
The Fifth Princess was deliberately raising her voice so everyone could hear, intent on binding me to Epsilon. After all, even as the Simour family’s lady, it wouldn’t be easy to publicly refuse a princess’s request.
It seemed she was preemptively striking to prevent me from joining Aracron, where Philaf belonged….
‘Well, I’m all for it.’
A pumpkin rolling in on its vine—that was the situation I found myself in.
My head was already pounding from the Social Club matter, but if it was Epsilon, I had to bow and enter. Since ability was the primary criterion for admission, the Social Club had the highest competition rate and was famous for having influential seniors.
By the way, Duke Simour was also an Epsilon alumnus. This was an opportunity to earn bonus points with my patron.
“Thank you for the generous offer.”
I spoke with calculated politeness.
“Don’t thank me—just join.”
The Fifth Princess was refreshingly direct.
‘That’s precisely why I like her.’
Dealing with her was far more comfortable than contending with young ladies who wrapped their barbed words in elegant packaging.
“I shall accept membership.”
“R-really?”
At my composed response, Thierry’s eyes widened noticeably. The firm forearm beneath my hand—Knight Isidore’s—tensed slightly as well.
“Have you truly decided?”
Isidore regarded me with genuine gravity. I nodded lightly.
“I have.”
“Lady Deborah. If you go back on your word, I’ll be genuinely angry.”
“How could I speak with a forked tongue before the Fifth Princess?”
“Your decisiveness is admirable, Lady Deborah.”
“What auspicious news. The Simour Family joining Epsilon—our Epsilon’s prestige shall rise even higher.”
“Knight Thierry. Bring the membership papers at once. I’m rather anxious about this.”
The Fifth Princess muttered that Aracron was cowardly, urging Thierry along.
“Your Highness, I apologize, but retrieving the membership papers immediately is rather difficult.”
“Make it possible.”
“There are many witnesses present here. Please rest assured.”
At my soothing words, the Fifth Princess finally nodded and sipped her champagne.
“Ah, Lady Deborah. I heard you’re participating as a paper presenter at the upcoming Magical Theory Academic Conference.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Before I see your presentation, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”
“Please, ask whatever you wish.”
The Fifth Princess began probing me meticulously about formula applications, and I answered her inquiries—my VIP customer’s inquiries—with utmost sincerity.
Simply receiving the attention of the Fifth Princess, who commanded countless followers, significantly increased the probability that even those uninterested in formulas would subscribe to my paid services.
‘It certainly looks impressive.’
An opportunity to satisfy intellectual vanity for merely seven silver and ninety copper!
While I was absorbed in my business activities, the expression of Isidore, standing beside me like a folding screen, seemed to grow increasingly rigid—though that was probably just my imagination.
* * *
The orchestra, having performed four consecutive pieces, entered a twenty-five-minute intermission.
Ball intermission time. The Aracron executives gathered in small groups watched Lady Deborah, still conversing with the Fifth Princess, with evident displeasure.
“Given the favorable atmosphere, it seems Lady Deborah’s heart has turned toward Epsilon.”
“No matter how independent Lady Deborah is, how could she possibly refuse a proposal from the royal family? We should consider it confirmed.”
“Knight Philaf, didn’t you say Lady Deborah would naturally join Aracron?”
When someone voiced a complaint, Philaf, who had been standing with a rigid expression in silence, finally lost his composure and his face twisted into a scowl.
“You all weren’t exactly thrilled about Deborah Simour’s participation either. So why the sudden change in attitude?”
“To be honest, the circumstances have shifted considerably. She stood out the most at tonight’s Ball.”
“I had no idea Lady Deborah Simour danced so well.”
“If only we’d overlooked that dreadful personality of hers, I might have asked her to dance immediately.”
“Poisonous mushrooms are always the most vibrant, after all.”
The conversation about Deborah showed no signs of ending.
‘She’s changed.’
The attitude of those around me when speaking of Deborah had shifted somehow. It wasn’t the contempt and ridicule of before, but rather an odd reverence. Deborah, who used to linger annoyingly near me, now paid me no attention whatsoever.
Everything was transforming so rapidly that it made me dizzy. I pressed my forehead and moistened my parched throat with a cocktail.
‘Deborah is ignoring me to capture my interest.’
I rationalize it however I wish, but seeing Deborah standing beside Knight Isidore only intensifies that uncomfortable tightness in my throat.
“What could Knight Isidore possibly be thinking, partnering with Lady Deborah Simour?”
“If the intention was to draw attention and elevate his reputation, it’s been a resounding success.”
“He’s certainly benefiting from the contrast in appearance. But that’s not all—everyone’s calling Knight Isidore affectionate and considerate for boldly matching his dress code to her pink accessories.”
“The man’s a disgrace to us all. Ptui.”
Philaf spat out the cherry pit from his cocktail and muttered irritably.
“We find it annoying and unlucky, but the young ladies don’t see it that way—and that’s the problem.”
“They say the fish you let slip away always looks bigger. Now that the Epsilon Leader has attached himself to the lady, I feel like we’ve lost out somehow.”
“Why doesn’t the Leader try to persuade Lady Deborah Simour? Until she signs the entry form and makes an official announcement, nothing’s set in stone, is it?”
“True enough—the Leader was someone the lady had a long unrequited crush on, after all.”
“Why should I grovel to Deborah? Don’t say such unpleasant things.”
Philaf spoke curtly and extracted himself from the group of executives. Yet despite my better judgment, my gaze kept drifting toward Deborah—a victim of that peculiar psychology where another’s possession always seems more desirable.
Perhaps it was because Deborah, with her unconventional aura, possessed far more individuality and intensity of presence than Miya, who blended seamlessly into the surroundings and was beautiful yet unremarkable.
As discomfort continued to coil uncomfortably within me, I clenched my teeth and fixed my stare on Deborah’s retreating figure.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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